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Govt aims for $800 bn boost from adventure tourism; foresees India in top 10 destinations

During the ATOAI Convention held in Ekta Nagar, the Ministry of Tourism launched the Adventure Tourism India Website and announced the Best Adventure Tourism Destination Competition 2024. The event also witnessed various state presentations as well as the strategies taken into action for adventure tourism. Emphasis was placed on capacity building marketing, promotion and the necessity of collaboration among central, state, and industry stakeholders. The Ministry of Tourism convened the National Conference on Adventure Tourism, held from December 18 to 19, 2023 in Ekta Nagar, Gujarat. Based on the theme, ‘Viksit Bharat@2047: Making India a Global Adventure Tourism Hub’, the primary objective revolved around creating a platform for in-depth discussions and formulating strategies to propel India into a prominent role as a global adventure tourism destination. Fueled by ambition, the Ministry of Tourism aims to achieve a robust USD 3 trillion tourism economy by 2047, with a substantial contribution of USD 800 billion from adventure tourism alone. This vision also encompasses elevating India into the top ten adventure tourism destinations globally. To materialise this goal, the agenda includes attracting 20 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and 80 million Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) specifically for adventure tourism, generating a significant foreign exchange of USD 90 billion. Domestic visits are expected to reach 4 billion for adventure tourism within the country. Such an ascent from the 96th to the 10th position globally necessitates a cohesive strategic roadmap jointly designed by the Central Government in collaboration with States and Industry stakeholders. India's geographic diversity stands as a substantial advantage, boasting rich natural and eco-tourism resources. The country boasts 70 percent of the Himalayas, a 7,000-kilometer coastline, both hot and cold deserts, extensive forest cover (ranking 10th globally), and a remarkable count of recognized UNESCO Natural Heritage sites. Furthermore, India hosts an array of iconic wildlife species, including tigers, lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and more than 1200 species of birds. To materialise this goal, the agenda includes attracting 20 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and 80 million Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) specifically for adventure tourism, generating a significant foreign exchange of USD 90 billion. Domestic visits are expected to reach 4 billion for adventure tourism within the country. Such an ascent from the 96th to the 10th position globally necessitates a cohesive strategic roadmap jointly designed by the Central Government in collaboration with States and Industry stakeholders. India's geographic diversity stands as a substantial advantage, boasting rich natural and eco-tourism resources. The country boasts 70 percent of the Himalayas, a 7,000-kilometer coastline, both hot and cold deserts, extensive forest cover (ranking 10th globally), and a remarkable count of recognized UNESCO Natural Heritage sites. Furthermore, India hosts an array of iconic wildlife species, including tigers, lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and more than 1200 species of birds.To materialise this goal, the agenda includes attracting 20 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and 80 million Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) specifically for adventure tourism, generating a significant foreign exchange of USD 90 billion. Domestic visits are expected to reach 4 billion for adventure tourism within the country. Such an ascent from the 96th to the 10th position globally necessitates a cohesive strategic roadmap jointly designed by the Central Government in collaboration with States and Industry stakeholders. India's geographic diversity stands as a substantial advantage, boasting rich natural and eco-tourism resources. The country boasts 70 percent of the Himalayas, a 7,000-kilometer coastline, both hot and cold deserts, extensive forest cover (ranking 10th globally), and a remarkable count of recognized UNESCO Natural Heritage sites. Furthermore, India hosts an array of iconic wildlife species, including tigers, lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and more than 1200 species of birds. To materialise this goal, the agenda includes attracting 20 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and 80 million Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) specifically for adventure tourism, generating a significant foreign exchange of USD 90 billion. Domestic visits are expected to reach 4 billion for adventure tourism within the country. Such an ascent from the 96th to the 10th position globally necessitates a cohesive strategic roadmap jointly designed by the Central Government in collaboration with States and Industry stakeholders. India's geographic diversity stands as a substantial advantage, boasting rich natural and eco-tourism resources. The country boasts 70 percent of the Himalayas, a 7,000-kilometer coastline, both hot and cold deserts, extensive forest cover (ranking 10th globally), and a remarkable count of recognized UNESCO Natural Heritage sites. Furthermore, India hosts an array of iconic wildlife species, including tigers, lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and more than 1200 species of birds. To materialise this goal, the agenda includes attracting 20 million Foreign Tourist Arrivals (FTAs) and 80 million Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs) specifically for adventure tourism, generating a significant foreign exchange of USD 90 billion. Domestic visits are expected to reach 4 billion for adventure tourism within the country. Such an ascent from the 96th to the 10th position globally necessitates a cohesive strategic roadmap jointly designed by the Central Government in collaboration with States and Industry stakeholders. India's geographic diversity stands as a substantial advantage, boasting rich natural and eco-tourism resources. The country boasts 70 percent of the Himalayas, a 7,000-kilometer coastline, both hot and cold deserts, extensive forest cover (ranking 10th globally), and a remarkable count of recognized UNESCO Natural Heritage sites. Furthermore, India hosts an array of iconic wildlife species, including tigers, lions, elephants, rhinos, leopards, and more than 1200 species of birds. Despite this wealth of natural resources and potential, India currently holds a comparatively low position in the global adventure tourism sphere. Recognising the country's immense potential to emerge as a global adventure tourism marketplace, efforts are being directed toward attracting adventure enthusiasts from around the world. To give impetus to adventure tourism's development, the Ministry of Tourism has laid out a comprehensive National Strategy. The Indian Institute of Travel and Tourism Management has been designated as the Central Nodal Agency for Adventure Tourism, providing crucial technical support. Additionally, the establishment of a National Board for Adventure Tourism, comprising representatives from Central Ministries, States, and Industry Stakeholders, aims to provide guidance for sectoral development. Strategic pillars have been identified to foster sustainable tourism, adventure tourism, and ecotourism, including state assessments and strategies, capacity building, marketing and promotion, safety management frameworks, rescue grids, destination and product development, and governance frameworks. During the conference, the Ministry of Tourism launched the 'Adventure Tourism India Website' and announced the 'Best Adventure Tourism Destination Competition 2024'. The event also witnessed various presentations, including the National Strategy for Adventure Tourism by Additional Secretary (Tourism) Rakesh Kumar Verma. Emphasis was placed on capacity building, marketing, promotion, and the necessity of collaboration among central, state, and industry stakeholders. Notable international and industry perspectives were shared by Mike Druce, Coach at Slalomcoach, and Ajeet Bajaj, President ATOAI, respectively. The conference also dedicated a session to 'Propelling States for Adventure Tourism', featuring presentations from various states showcasing their adventure tourism assets, development initiatives, skill building efforts, marketing strategies, safety measures, and alignment with national policies and digital platforms. On the subsequent day, the focus shifted to 'Destination Planning, Development, and Management', sharing best practices and experiences. Case studies on developing Ekta Nagar as a green field tourism destination and creating a sustainable and responsible tourist destination under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 were spotlighted. The final session provided updates on various initiatives of the Ministry of Tourism, encompassing the Incredible India Portal, Meet in India campaign, Wed in India campaign, Travel for LiFE Campaign, Travel for LiFE: Tourism for Tomorrow Competition, Best Tourism Village, and Best Rural Homestays Competition. The state representatives including Sachin Kurve, Secretary, Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB); Swapnil Naik, Secretary (Tourism), Arunachal Pradesh; Hareet Shukla, Secretary (Tourism), Gujarat; Kaushlendra Vikram Singh IAS, MD MP Tourism corporation; Kunzes Angmo, Director (Tourism), UT Ladakh; P.B. Nooh, Director (Tourism), Kerala; C.S.Rao, Principal Secretary, Sikkim Tourism and Rakhee Gupta Bhandari, Pr. Secretary, Punjab made the presentations during the conference. Director Niche Tourism, Radha Katyal Narang, commended the State Government of Gujarat and the Adventure Tour Operator Association of India (ATOAI) for the success of the 15th Annual Convention & PreVibrant Gujarat Event, emphasising the Ministry's ongoing efforts in promoting and developing sustainable adventure tourism in the country.

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Saudi Arabia plans to build first opera house in Riyadh

Riyadh: The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) has announced plan to build the Kingdom’s first opera house in the historic district of Diriyah, northwest of the capital Riyadh. The announcement was made during the Bashayer 2023 event. The Royal Diriyah Opera House will be designed by Norwegian architectural company Snohetta and Syn Architects in Riyadh. The Opera House, a pioneering cultural venue, will be located near Al Turaif, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Diriyah. The project, managed by the Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), and will be built by Diriyah Company. The opera house, covering 45,000 square meters, will be the centerpiece of the second phase of the Diriyah masterplan, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030. Ebrahim Al Sultan, Minister of State and CEO of the Royal Commission for Riyadh City, praised the opera house as a symbol of Riyadh’s cultural and architectural innovation. Jerry Inzerillo praised Snohetta’s collaboration, highlighting its alignment with Diriyah’s mission to attract top design talent and achieve architectural excellence.

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5.04 lakh medical tourists in 2023; govt infuses USD 14.8 bn to boost infra: GK Reddy

To further promote domestic tourism, the Ministry of Tourism revised the guidelines for the Market Development Assistance scheme in November 2020. This revision aimed to expand the scheme's scope and benefits, including provisions tailored for Medical Tourist Service Providers. Financial support under MDA for the promotion of Domestic Tourism has seen upward trajectory, totaling INR 20,37,118 across the years 2021-24. In the past few years, India has seen a significant rise in medical tourism, with a clear upward trend in the number of medical tourists. The influx of medical tourists to India has grown steadily from 1.83 lakh in 2020 to 5.04 lakh in 2023 (till October). In the past few years, India has witnessed a steady increase in medical tourism, as indicated by the rising numbers of medical tourists arriving in the country, stated Union Minister for Culture, Tourism and DoNER, G. Kishan Reddy. In 2020, the count stood at 1.83 lakh, which surged to 3.04 lakh in 2021, followed by a substantial increase to 4.75 lakh in 2022. To support this burgeoning sector, the Government of India has taken substantial steps, according to data from the Ministry of Health and FamilyWelfare. A USD 14.8 billion loan injection has been announced, aimed at bolstering infrastructure. Additionally, financial aid in the form of working capital and personal loans has been extended to revive tourism-related businesses post the pandemic setback. Focusing on healthcare infrastructure, major players like Apollo Hospitals, MAX Hospitals, ASIAN Hospitals, SHALBY Hospitals, Fortis Hospitals, and the Manipal Group are spearheading initiatives to establish cutting-edge medical facilities in tier-II and tier-III cities. This development is making advanced medical procedures, such as dental implants and cosmetic surgeries, accessible in these cities, challenging the notion that such treatments were limited to larger urban centers due to distance and time constraints. Notably, the trend continued upward in 2023, reaching 5.04 lakh by October. The National Accreditation Board for Hospitals & Healthcare Providers (NABH) plays a pivotal role in accrediting healthcare organisations. Recognised by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua), NABH accreditation holds international acclaim, significantly boosting India's standing in medical tourism.Moreover, NABH also extends accreditation to Medical Value Travel Facilitators, an important segment within the medical tourism domain that was previously largely unregulated. To further promote domestic tourism, the Ministry of Tourism revised the guidelines for the Scheme of Market Development Assistance (MDA) in November 2020. This revision aimed to expand the scheme's scope and benefits, including provisions tailored for Medical Tourist Service Providers. Financial support under MDA for the promotion of Domestic Tourism has seen an upward trajectory, totaling INR 20,37,118 across the years 2021-24. Over the years, significant financial aid has been provided for the promotion of domestic tourism initiatives, shared Reddy. As per the data, in 2021-22, an amount of INR 6,86,237 was released, followed by INR 7,06,668 in 2022-23. The support continued into 2023-24, with INR 6,44,213 released till mid-December, culminating in a substantial total amount of INR 20,37,118 allotted for this purpose. Underpinning these efforts is the Ministry of Tourism's formulation of a National Strategy and Roadmap for Medical and Wellness Tourism, disclosed Reddy, who was speaking during a Lok Sabha session.

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Lufthansa orders 80 planes from Boeing, Airbus for $9 billion

Lufthansa, the German flagship carrier, has placed an order with Boeing and Airbus for 8 planes worth $9 billion. The order includes 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes, 40 Airbus A220-3 and options for future purchases. This marks Lufthansa's first purchase of Boeing narrow body planes in 30 years and their first acquisition of the 737 MAX model. Lufthansa ordered 80 planes from Boeing and Airbus and agreed to future purchasing options for a total value of $9 billion, the German flagship carrier said on Tuesday. The deal provides for 40 Boeing 737 MAX 8 planes and 40 Airbus A220- 300s to be delivered in 2026-2032. It also includes 60 future purchasing options for the MAX 8, 20 options for the A220, as well as 40 options for Airbus A320s. The order is Lufthansa's first buy of Boeing narrow body planes in about 30 years, as well as its first purchase of the 737 MAX model. The airline was a launch customer for an older version of the Boeing 737 in the late 1960s, but has maintained an all-Airbus single-aisle fleet after phasing out the 737 in 2016. It has continued to buy Boeing wide body Lufthansa orders 80 planes from Boeing, Airbus for $9 billion, aircraft, with a backlog that includes 787 Dreamliners, 777 freighters and the upcoming 777X mini-jumbo. Widely seen as one of the industry's most technically demanding buyers, Lufthansa Group was the original launch customer for what was then known as the Bombardier CSeries in 2008. Airbus bought the small passenger plane program in 2018 and renamed it A220 after Bombardier ran into financial problems. Lufthansa's repeat order for the A220 represents a boost for the small passenger jet in the wake of a series of problems with engines from Pratt &Whitney, which have affected part of the Airbus A320 family and to some extent the smaller A220. "It is a good strategic decision for the Lufthansa Group to order Boeing 737 aircraft again for the first time since 1995," said Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr, who added that the MAX 8 would help the company meet carbon reduction requirements. Spohr also reinforced Lufthansa's relationship with Airbus as the planemaker's largest airline customer. "Just a few months ago... we received our 600th aircraft from Airbus, and we look forward to taking delivery of number 700," he said. Boeing shares were up 1.6% in morning trade, while Airbus was up 0.6%. Lufthansa plans to finance the purchase with net investments of 2.5-3 billion euros ($2.7-3.2 billion) in 2023 and about the same amount next year. The order would not have a significant amount on the capital expenditure in 2023-2024, it added.

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DreamFolks launches card-based Club Membership Program for travellers

The DreamFolks Club offers various membership packages designed to cater to travel an lifestyle needs. With a one-year validity and starting price ranging between INR 8000-100 the Club introduces four card variants. The entry-level package offers complimentary According to airport lounges within India. Its inception, according to the company stakeholders, stemmed from increased lounge usage, a need to enhance user experience and fill mark gaps. DreamFolks, the airport services aggregator in India, has taken a noteworthy step in the travel sector with the launch of its exclusive membership program- The DreamFolks Club. Without the need of a debit or credit card during travelling, this initiative aims to capture the attention of ambitious Indian travellers and looks at redefining the way people perceive and enjoy travel and luxury. “We have bundled our world-class services into exclusive memberships targeted at luxury comfort for all budget ranges. As India's leading airport experience disruptors, we are now extending premium travel and lifestyle services to a wider range of customers. I see the DreamFolks Club as integral to manifesting our founding belief - Making premium travel and lifestyle experiences accessible to everyone,” said Liberatha Kallat, CMD of DreamFolks, articulating the ethos behind The DreamFolks Club. The Membership Tiers and Benefits The DreamFolks Club offers an array of membership packages designed to cater to diverse travel and lifestyle needs. With a one-year validity and starting price ranging between INR 8000-10000, the Club introduces four card variants. The entry-level Aspire package opens the doors to premium travel, offering complimentary access to airport lounges within India, ideal for frequent travellers seeking comfort and convenience. The Premium package elevates the benefits by granting access to global airport lounges, discounted lounge purchases, and exclusive deals on various travel and lifestyle services. Moving up the ladder, the Select package includes airport and railway lounge access as well as offers complimentary services such as beauty & grooming, floral gifting, and healthcare. For those seeking luxury, the Elite package delivers global airport lounge access, access to golf courses, and a comprehensive suite of premium lifestyle services. Upon joining, members gain instant access to these services. They can opt for a new or extended membership, both valid for a year. Adding to this, Balaji Srinivasan, Executive Director and CTO at DreamFolks said that while the membership is valid for the individual/member, it's possible to include guests from the first package onward. “Additionally, there are good discounts if you wish to bring friends, family, or children along, offering a great way to share the benefits,” he shared. Surge in lounge utilisation among travellers During the launch event in New Delhi, Kallat also revealed that DreamFolks conceived the Club membership initiative after recognising the industry's prevailing challenges, much like a gap identified 11 years prior. These challenges encompassed the rise of new sectors in banking and fintech. “Moreover, there's a significant surge in lounge utilisation among travellers, especially families, wherein each member possesses a card. As awareness is rising as well as there is a spike in leisure travel, so does the utilisation of lounge services in Tier II and Tier III cities. Additionally, not all introduced services are uniformly available across cards, limiting benefits,” she added. This structure, now available in the form of Club membership, aims to streamline the user experience and address market voids, ensuring simplicity and inclusivity in accessing services for all members, said Kallat. “11 years ago, we pioneered a card-based program, followed by a hybrid model integrating digital access six years ago. Five years back, we introduced web access for a seamless user experience. Subsequently, the self-check-in kiosk innovation alleviated lounge queuing by providing QR codes well in advance. These innovations, unique to Dream Folks globally, led us to the launch of our exclusive membership program - The Dream Folks Club,” she recalled. Every enterprise is our target Sharing insights into their marketing strategy, Kallat told ETTravelWorld, “Regarding strategies to boost program participation and the target audience, we're not limiting ourselves to banks or network providers. Our focus extends to enterprises. Every enterprise is our target as they're keen on offering these benefits not just to employees but also to clients and channel partners. We're planning to sell these services directly to enterprises through various channels, with a current emphasis on this sector.” When asked about plans for collaborations with other industries for added value, Kallat emphasised how their suite of services holds value for a wide spectrum of an organisation's stakeholders, making every enterprise a potential audience for these services. Speaking further about the business-centric nature of their offerings, Sandeep Sonawane, Chief Business Officer at DreamFolks shared that through the Dream Folks Corporate Membership program, the company offers a powerful tool for businesses to elevate their relationships with key stakeholders. “These curated travel and lifestyle experience bundles provide an effortless solution for companies to incentivise, reward, and attract employees, customers, and channel partners, thus enhancing customer retention and loyalty. It also elevates your brand's perception as a premium one, enabling companies to drive brand preference,” he said. Sonawane further highlighted how these memberships could serve as powerful Rewards and Recognition incentives, enhancing employee engagement and fostering meaningful connections. Commanding 90 per cent market share Currently, DreamFolks functioning as a travel services aggregator, having an exclusive in-house technology platform, empowers various entities like Banks, Card Networks, Airlines, OTAs, and Enterprises to curate tailor-made offerings for their respective customers. Notably, DreamFolks manages lounge facilities and other associated benefits for the majority of India's top Banks including HDFC, Axis, ICICI and more. With an impressive dominance, it commands a 90 per cent share in the domestic lounge access market pertaining to Indiaissued debit and credit programs. “Our journey commenced with lounges, which traditionally relied solely on business class passengers for their operation. Dreamfolks transformed this landscape entirely. Presently, over 80 per cent of the traffic directed to these lounges, and subsequently, the revenue of all airports, is facilitated by Dreamfolks. What was once exclusively dependent on business class travellers has now metamorphosed due to our efforts. Dreamfolks pioneered this change within the Indian industry. However, we didn't confine ourselves to lounges alone; we diversified our services, venturing into meet-and-assist programs, airport transfers, airport spas, F&B, transit hotels, visa doorstep services, and recently, golf. The list of services continues to expand as Dreamfolks remains committed to continual innovation,” Kallat told ETTravelWorld. The company made a significant move by going public in Sep '22, securing listings on both the BSE and NSE. This decision marked a pivotal moment in their trajectory, which shows their global footprint now spanning across 1,500+ touchpoints spread over 100+ countries worldwide.

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Life in Singapore ‘normal’ , travellers told not to panic

Acknowledging that there had been a number of calls from travellers booked to travel to Singapore, travel agents said they had spoken to Kolkatans, who were in Singapore, and been assured that it was business as usual in the city with no disruption in public life. Singapore is recording around 350 Covid-related hospitalisations daily, up from the daily average of 225 last week. Even as masks returned to Singapore following an uptick in Covid cases, the travel trade fraternity said the advisory by Singapore government was precautionary in nature and asked travellers not to press the panic button. Acknowledging that there had been a number of calls from travellers booked to travel to Singapore, travel agents said they had spoken to Kolkatans, who were in Singapore, and had been assured that it was business as usual in the city with no disruption in public life. Singapore is recording around 350 Covid-related hospitalisations daily, up from the daily average of 225 last week. “The authorities in Singapore have urged the public to wear masks in crowded places, including the airport. There has been a call to exercise personal caution and be socially responsible. Individuals, who have acute respiratory infection symptoms, have been advised to stay at home until symptoms resolve and avoid contact with others. There is no reason to panic,” said Anil Punjabi, Travel Agents’ Federation of India national committee member representing East India. Travel Agents’ Association of India chairman (east) Manav Soni said while there had been calls from travellers, there had been no travel cancellations. “Though there has been a rise in Covid cases, it has now become endemic, and hence, not a cause for alarm,” said Soni. Sources in Singapore Airlines said flight loads did not indicate any bulk cancellation. On the contrary, there had been group bookings in Kolkata on Monday. In Kolkata airport, no advisory has yet been issued on thermal checks on international passengers, including those arriving by Singapore Airlines.

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